The Best Hotels to Book Near the White House

The suites and rooms in the five-star Hay-Adams are so magnificent, it’s akin to being in the White House rather than overlooking it. This exquisite property is steeped in history and surrounded by well-known institutions such as St John’s Church and Lafayette Square. Soft furnishings and draperies are of an exceptional quality, while antiques and dark wood furniture are part of the federal period style. Its restaurants are also a cut above the rest: the Lafayette offers an exquisite dining experience with farm-to-fork products and local cuisine part of the menu.

Sleek, minimalist and uber cool, the suites and rooms at the CQ Hotels offer calm in the midst of Washington DC’s hectic downtown. Got looming deadlines? Work from its stylish Parsons desks – though your bed will be so comfortable, you might want to complete your tasks horizontally. Several of the Superior Rooms have small kitchenettes making it feel like a home-away-from-home. Close to some of the most recognizable monuments and museums in Washington, this is a superior location to other properties.

Opulence and grandeur are the keystones of the St Regis Hotel in Washington DC, renowned for butler service. This Regency-style historic hotel oozes period features: the lobby’s ornate crystal chandelier is matched by the swathes of velvet curtains, and the truly sumptuous St Regis Bar is bathed in deep red and orange colors, mirrored in its famous St Regis Bloody Mary. It’s not often that guest rooms also have chandeliers or a Presidential Suite has been graced by dignitaries the world over. The dining here is unsurpassed, with the Alhambra offering a stylish more modern setting for exceptional meals and service.

Simple yet sophisticated, this bijou property puts you, quite literally, at the heart of the action in downtown Washington DC. The lobby is stylish and punctuated with Regency-style furnishings, there’s air conditioning throughout and each guest room has a desk and working area. Helpful staff provide concierge services and ticket assistance, plus there is a hair salon on-site. Walk out the door and you’re minutes from fine dining, the remarkable Lafayette Square and the White House.

This is less a hotel and more a retreat or an eco-resort in the midst of the city. The Eaton Workshop creates a space for imagination and co-working, while the hotel offers respite to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Rooms are bright and utilitarian, yet comfortable and fit within the ethos of the Eaton Workshop. Eaton Wellness, located in the hotel, offers care, healing and expansion. There is also a radio station, cinema and coffee shop. In the spirit of retreats such as Burning Man, Eaton Workshop is forging a community of activists, thought leaders and innovators.

Built in 1922 and sitting between the beaux art and art deco periods in regards to style, this exceptional hotel is 11 stories and 300 rooms of glamour and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Upon opening, it became the hub of Washington DC social life, the site for inaugural balls and even served as the War Room for FDR during World War II. The outside of the hotel is decorated with bas relief ornamentation of terracotta and stone, while a vaulted entry leads into the grand lobby.

Is there a more famous political stage than the Watergate Hotel? It’s the scene of the burgled Democratic Headquarters office in 1971 – reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the story for The Washington Post, which led to the demise of Richard Nixon. Now guests can enjoy the unashamed luxury of this topflight hotel and its excellent complimentary breakfast. There is an indoor pool and the Argentta Spa offers pampering treatments. The Top of the Gate rooftop bar overlooking the Potomac River shouldn’t be missed.